The Light in Shared Space

Educator: Candido Crespo, Art Educator

Cultural Partner: Alina Wilcynski, Photographer and Multi-Media Artist

School: Central Islip Senior High School

Grades: 9-12

District: Central Islip Union Free School District

District NYSED link: https://data.nysed.gov/profile.php?instid=800000037005

Summary‍

In this project, high school students participated in a collaborative light painting experience that emphasized conceptual decision-making and creative independence. Through shared planning, experimentation, and image-making, students worked beyond technical execution to explore ideas of identity, interdependence, and coexistence. The project fostered critical communication, social-emotional awareness, and problem-solving skills as students navigated collaboration within shared academic and social spaces.

Rationale

The Basic Studio Art class allowed for an extensive exploration of the visual arts, including drawing, painting, and sculpture. However, photography had not yet been introduced or studied as a medium. These two groups of students were highly engaged and eager to take on new challenges. Having the two classes scheduled back-to-back also allowed us to transform the classroom setting and leave it set up for the duration of the work time.

What learning goals/standards did this meet?

Arts:Creating (VA:Cr)

• Goal: Students generated and conceptualized artistic ideas and work by mastering the technical and collaborative demands of light painting.

CCCR:The Interpersonal Domain (Collaboration & Communication)

• Goal: Students collaborated effectively, communicated clearly with each other and the teaching artist, and navigated diverse team settings.

CR-S: The curriculum validated student cultural and community experiences, and assessment will measure deep understanding over rote memorization.

Outcomes

Students’ learning has expanded as a result of this project because now they…

KNOW… how to use digital cameras and various light sources, color, and figure movement to translate the abstract concept of "shared space" into a definitive visual form.

UNDERSTAND… how to actively negotiate and share accountability to assign and execute roles (photographer, subject, light painters) necessary for the technical success of the long-exposure photograph.

ARE ABLE TO (DO)... engage in authentic assessment where success is measured by the clarity of their conceptual statement and the effectiveness of their collaborative process, rather than a single, predetermined technical outcome.